Changes in serum levels of prostatic acid phosphatase and prostate specific antigen after luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue administration in patients with metastatic prostatic cancer in relation to glandular differentiation.

Eighteen previously untreated patients with metastatic carcinoma of the prostate were treated with LHRH analogue. They were divided into 3 groups according to the degree of glandular differentiation. In all groups, a transient rise of PAP and PSA was observed after the LH and testosterone surge. However, relative values of LH, testosterone, PAP and PSA did not differ significantly among the 3 groups. These facts suggest that a transient rise of PAP and PSA is caused by testosterone surge independently from the degree of glandular differentiation after LHRH analogue administration in patients with advanced prostatic cancer.